Easter Seals New York's Playing for Today 2012 Gala is a Grand Slam!

NEW YORK, May 2, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Easter Seals New York will host its annual awards gala in the Yankee Stadium Legends Suite Club on Thursday May 3rd, 2012. The Playing for Today Gala will honor those who exemplify hope through their invaluable dedication to the Easter Seals New York mission and who have significantly impacted the lives of individuals with disabilities or special needs.

The gala is the event of the year for Easter Seals New York, as it gives us the great pleasure to honor our dear friends and supporters who have gone above and beyond to serve our mission. Among the awardees is the Outstanding Citizenship Award Winner Hunts Point Terminal Produce Cooperative Association, Inc. for all of the incredible work they have done for the Bronx community and the Bronx Child Development Center. Their generosity has changed the lives of countless children in the Bronx. Amway has long been a devoted friend of Easter Seals New York, consistently going above and beyond to ensure the growth and happiness of individuals with disabilities.

"The gala is the highlight of the year for Easter Seals New York," said Joseph A. DiChiara, Chairman of the Easter Seals New York Board of Directors. "We rarely get an opportunity to recognize all those who support our mission and make our incredible programs so successful. The Playing for Today Gala promises to be a great evening."

Amway has long been a devoted friend of Easter Seals New York, consistently going above and beyond to ensure the growth and happiness of individuals with disabilities. Tanios Viviani, new Regional President of the Americas for Amway is an exciting new friend that Easter Seals New York is honored to recognize with the Lilli and Allan Shedlin Award. Mr. Viviani and Amway's philanthropic endeavors are inspirations to corporations everywhere, with their altruism giving those in need the necessary tools to pursue health and happiness.

"It is a true privilege to be able to count Hunts Point Terminal Produce Cooperative Association, Inc., Tanios Viviani, and Amway as dear friends," commented John W. McGrath, Executive Director of Advancement for Easter Seals New York. "Their unbelievable generosity has made a tremendous impact on the lives of thousands of New Yorkers, and it is the least we can do to recognize them at Yankee Stadium as a token of our extreme gratitude and appreciation."

Easter Seals is the Nation's leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental, physical, and mental disabilities, and other special needs. Easter Seals New York provides exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities. For 90 years, Easter Seals New York has been offering help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them.

For more information about Easter Seals New York or our annual awards gala, Playing for Today, please visit www.eastersealsny.org.